Garrett McNamara waits for a wave during a surf session at Praia do Norte in Nazare on Wednesday.. McNamara currently holds the world record for the biggest wave surfed after riding a 78-foot (23.77-meter) breaker in Nazare, central Portugal, on Nov. 1, 2011, but on Monday was thought to have gone better at the same location. The 45-year-old from Hawaii was cautious about his exploit, though, telling reporters that he had "no idea" about the size of the wave and that his partner Kealii Mamala may even have set the new global benchmark. ( PATRICIA DE MELO MOREIRA/AFP/Getty Images)

Photo: PATRICIA DE MELO MOREIRA, Ap/getty

Garrett McNamara waits for a wave during a surf session at Praia...

Garrett McNamara waits for a wave during a surf session at Praia... Photo-4109539.55936 - SFGate

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Garrett McNamara rides a wave during a surf session at Praia do Norte in Nazare on Wednesday. (PATRICIA DE MELO MOREIRA/AFP/Getty Images)

US surfer Garrett McNamara rides a wave during a surf session at Praia do Norte in Nazare on Wednesday. McNamara holds the world record for the biggest wave surfed after riding a 78-foot (23.77 metre) breaker in Nazare, central Portugal, on Nov. 1, 2011, but on Monday was thought to have gone better at the same location. The 45-year-old from Hawaii was cautious about his exploit, though, telling reporters that he had "no idea" about the size of the wave and that his partner Kealii Mamala may even have set the new global benchmark. (PATRICIA DE MELO MOREIRA/AFP/Getty Images)

Hawaiian surfer Garrett McNamara carries his surfboard as he leaves the beach after a surf session at Praia do Norte in Nazare on Tuesday. McNamara arrived onMonday at Praia do Norte, the "north beach" in the village of Nazare, central Portugal, in an attempt to break his own record for the largest wave ever surfed in the world. (PATRICIA DE MELO MOREIRA/AFP/Getty Images)

Photo: AFP, Ap/getty

Hawaiian surfer Garrett McNamara carries his surfboard as he leaves...

Hawaiian surfer Garrett McNamara carries his surfboard as he leaves the beach after a surf session at Praia do Norte in Nazare on Tuesday. (Photo credit should read PATRICIA DE MELO MOREIRA/AFP/Getty Images)

Photo: AFP, Ap/getty

Hawaiian surfer Garrett McNamara carries his surfboard as he leaves...